Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of bringing forward the ban on routine flaring and venting from 2030 to 2025 on levels of methane emissions.

The Government recognises that eliminating routine flaring and venting is a priority.

The upstream oil and gas sector contributes approximately 1.6% of UK methane emissions, compared to 30% from waste and 49% from agriculture.

Through the ambitious North Sea Transition Deal, industry has committed to accelerate compliance with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring 2030 Initiative. Good progress is being made - the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) reported a 50% reduction in flaring since 2018 and a 13% drop last year.

Furthermore, the NSTA expects all new developments to be planned and developed with zero routine flaring and venting.